My HTM Story
The versatility of the hospitality industry is what makes me so excited to be starting a career in this field post-graduation. My favorite part of the industry are all of the opportunities it presents when meeting different people every day you go to work. In my experience in hospitality, I've learned so much about the world than I have ever before through interactions with people from all walks of life.
How I Found HTM
My journey in hospitality began my Junior year of High School when I joined ASB as the dance commissioner and later became Senior Class Vice President my Senior year. Although my job seemed like chaos to most people; I actually loved every second of it. Being able to take the time to plan and perfectly (or not so perfectly) articulate a plan in order to execute an event for my audience was my favorite part of the entire process. Brainstorming, creating pinterest boards, finding ways around building/school regulations was the chaos I craved and thrived off of. I came to college majoring in Economics, but my entire first year at college I did not feel as if I was in the right place. As soon as I became aware of the HTM program I immediately changed my major the next day. In this major, I have never felt so at home with my classmates and professors. The Payne School is truly a community, and makes me feel excited to be entering an industry surrounded by people like this.
Adjusting In A World With COVID-19
During a time when events weren’t occurring during the peak of COVID, I had to completely shift the direction of my work. Events positions had been widely terminated during this time, so I chose to look where was hiring and that’s when I became a server at Nautilus Tavern in La Jolla, CA. Prior to this job, I had the connotation that I wanted to stay far, far away from the restaurant industry, but as my work continues here, I have come to love it more and more every day. Recently, I’ve voiced my aspirations of event planning to my manager and he has been very supportive in providing me a space to earn some experience in this field. We have an amazing backyard space, and I pitched the idea of hosting private events and last weekend we hosted a 30th birthday party for 50+ people. I assisted in the planning of preparing a catering-style menu, where I talked to the host and learned about all of his wants and needs surrounding food/drink. I came to work two hours before the event and set up decor like candles and balloons, stocked the mini bar, and coordinated with the kitchen on what food to prepare and when. I am in the middle of planning weekly events in the backyard on our slow days like Monday and Wednesday to drive more business. My first idea is to have a wine and paint night every Wednesday, and I am very excited to begin this journey. I am also earning a minor in marketing, so gaining experience in marketing these events to the public will be a great experience for me.
